Difference between revisions of "Chuck Shurley"
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After Swan Song fans began using "Chuck" rather than "God" in phrases such as "[[Thank Chuck]]" and "Chuck bless you!" | After Swan Song fans began using "Chuck" rather than "God" in phrases such as "[[Thank Chuck]]" and "Chuck bless you!" | ||
| + | In Season 8, some fans speculated that Chuck may have been a manifestation of the archangel [[Metatron]], who was known as God's scribe. | ||
== Appearances == | == Appearances == | ||
Revision as of 09:31, 18 November 2012
| 300px | |
| Name | Chuck Shurley |
| Actor | Rob Benedict |
| Dates | Beginning of Time - ? |
| Location | Unknown |
| Occupation | Prophet and Book Writer, God |
| Episode(s) | 4.18 The Monster At The End Of This Book 4.22 Lucifer Rising 5.01 Sympathy For The Devil 5.04 The End 5.09 The Real Ghostbusters 5.22 Swan Song |
Contents
History
Well, there's only one explanation. Obviously I'm a god... I'm definitely a god. A cruel, cruel, capricious god.
– Chuck to Dean and Sam, 4.18 The Monster At The End Of This Book
Chuck Shurley is an author who wrote the Supernatural Book series, who continued to write even though the books were no longer being published. Unbeknownst to him, the inspiration of the books is divine - he is a prophet of God.
Castiel attempts to interfere with prophecy, and is found and killed by Raphael while in Chuck's presence, which leaves the house in ruins.[1] After he finishes his last piece of writing he mysteriously vanishes, suggesting that he may in fact be God.[2]
- Chuck can see the future; God granted Chuck the ability to foresee events that concern Dean and Sam Winchester
- He is the author of a series of books called "Supernatural", which he writes under the pen name Carver Edlund. The contents of the books are actually Sam and Dean's lives, the details of which come to him in his dreams.
- Castiel names him as a prophet of God.[3]
- He is protected by the archangel Raphael.
- The last names of Sam and Dean were never entered into the Supernatural books. Chuck even told Dean and Sam that he never told anyone about their last names, nor did he write it down on side-notes.
- Chuck thought his first vision of Dean and Sam was just a crazy dream.
- Chuck goes through some kind of a "process" when he has visions. A severe headache occurs, and then he takes aspirin and drinks until he passes out. While unconscious, he sees and interprets prophecy.
- Chuck's visions appear in black and white.
- The Comic Book Shop Guy revealed to Dean and Sam that these books didn't sell very well.
- The Publisher of the Supernatural Books felt that these books were being misjudged. She even wanted this series of books to continue, Dean quickly replied "Oh no, no, no god, no. I mean, why -- why would you want to do that? You know, it's, uh, such a complete series, what with Dean going to hell and all."
- Chuck's last name appears on the subtitles as Shirley.
- Chuck's pen name "Carver Edlund" is a portmanteau of two of the shows writers: Jeremy Carver and Ben Edlund.
- In episode 3 of the Ghostfacers Web Series, the Ghostfacers work out that the ghost is not trapped in the mirror like Bloody Mary which Maggie said she read about in a "cheesy Carver Edlund book".
- His favorite movie is Beaches. ("Hillary and CC were just so brave.")
- Chuck says he started writing because of a childhood crush on Nancy McKeon, the actress who played Jo on the TV show The Facts of Life. Chuck thinks he must have sent her 40-50 letters, but she never wrote back.
- Chuck is finally revealed - it seems - to be God.
- The character is also an avatar for Eric Kripke. Source - Rob Benedict talks about Chuck as Eric at Salute to Supernatural Chicago 2009
See:
- Chuck as part of the Metafictive device involving the The Supernatural Books Here.
Is Chuck God?
Following the Season Five finale, there was much debate amongst fans to whether Chuck was in fact God, and whether he had been so all along. While consensus was with Chuck as the Divine being - Many fans started substituting Chuck's name for Gods in expression's such as "Chuck be praised?" "Oh My Chuck - OMC" and "Thank Chuck" - not all agreed. Writer and Producer Sera Gamble on the God debate refused to either confirm or deny the speculation: Don't ask me to squish the God debate! How many TV shows can say their fans are talking about THAT stuff?"
Well, there's only one explanation. Obviously I'm a god... I'm definitely a god. A cruel, cruel, capricious god.
– Chuck to Dean and Sam, 4.18 The Monster At The End Of This Book
As a writer, Chuck is the creator of the story of Sam and Dean Winchester in the form of the Supernatural books. He says when confronted with the real Sam and Dean that he "is a god", for all that he puts them through in the books happens in real life. This is explained by Castiel as Chuck being a prophet of God. Castiel says the "Supernatural" Books will become known as the Winchester Gospels.
The metaphor in this episode is of the writer as creator. Chuck's pseudonym is Carver Edlund, a reference to Supernatural writers Jeremy Carver and Ben Edlund. The character is an avatar for Kripke himself Source and is used to comment on the text and process of writing with reference to specific past episodes of the Show. This metaphor would also hold then is God, the creator, was also the writer. We have a trinity here - Chuck, Kripke and God.
Sam and Dean find out from the angel Joshua that God is on Earth.[4]
In Sympathy For the Devil 5.1, Chuck says that he can feel the angels' presence in his house which is not a power of the prophet and may be due to his being God.
In the finale there, is further foreshadowing of Chuck's true identity: When Dean calls Chuck, Chuck answers the phone "Mistress Magda," and we briefly see a newspaper ad for a blonde women in a bikini named "Miss Magda" on Chuck's desk before he puts his glass on it. This may be a reference to Mary Magdalene who Jesus, the physical incarnation of God, healed of demons. She then become a follower of his, and an early Christian leader.
Chuck, after narrating the events that take place, finally appears dressed in white musing on the difficulty of getting endings right. He then disappears - Chuck, it seems, is God.
Fans arguing against Chuck's divinity point primarily to the fact that Dean's Amulet, which Castiel says will "burn hot" in God's presence does not react when Dean and Chuck meet face to face in 4.18 The Monster At The End Of This Book, 4.22 Lucifer Rising, and 5.01 Sympathy For The Devil. However, Joshua tells Sam and Dean in Heaven "Magic amulet or not, you won't be able to find him".
Other arguments include the failure of others to recognise God's true self, including Raphael is the archangel assigned to protect Chuck. In 5.03 Free To Be You And Me, he tells Dean and Castiel that God is "dead" and they are living in a "godless universe."
Castiel is also ignorant of Chuck's true identity. He held off Raphael at Chuck's house while Dean went after Sam in 4.22 Lucifer Rising, and met Chuck several times.
In the 2011 Jus In Bello Rob Benedict Panel, Rob confirms that Chuck is in fact God. He explains that other members of the cast, as well as Eric Kripke himself had asked him how it felt to play God. Source
After Swan Song fans began using "Chuck" rather than "God" in phrases such as "Thank Chuck" and "Chuck bless you!"
In Season 8, some fans speculated that Chuck may have been a manifestation of the archangel Metatron, who was known as God's scribe.
Appearances
4.18 The Monster At The End Of This Book
Sam and Dean find a series of books written about them, and through the publisher track down the author Carver Edlund - the pen name of writer Chuck Shurley. He reveals the stories come to him in dreams, and that he's continued writing even after the books stopped being published.
Chuck reveals his latest dream is of Sam and Lilith having "a night of fiery demonic passion." Sam asks Chuck if he knows about him drinking Demon Blood, which he does, and he confronts Sam about why he is doing it. Later Dean accuses Chuck of withholding information and attacks him, but is stopped by Castiel who reveals Chuck is a prophet of God, who is protected by an archangel.
Later Castiel gives Dean information on how to stop Lilith, revealing that Chuck is protected by an archangel who will intervene if Chuck is threatened. By putting Chuck in the same room with Lilith- a scenario that Chuck had not predicted-, the archangel threatens to appear and Lilith flees.
Following the confrontation with Lilith, Zachariah appears to Chuck after he has another vision. While it is not revealed what Chuck saw, he wants to warn Sam and Dean, but Zachariah tells him not to. Chuck threatens to kill himself, but Zachariah says they will only bring him back to life. In despair, Chuck asks what he should do. Zachariah replies "Do what you always do. Write".
4.22 Lucifer Rising
Dean and Castiel appear at Chuck's place, just as he is ordering some hookers to see see out the end of the world. He tells them where Sam and Lilith are, but says they are not "in the story". Castiel retorts that they are making it up as they go. The Archangel, and other angels, appear in pursuit of Castiel and Dean, and Castiel stays with Chuck to let Dean try and stop Sam.
Media Tie-in: On the computer screen before Castiel and Dean show up, there is an e-mail address for Chuck: carveredlund@gmail.com. This address seems to be valid and active, although there has been no response, automated or otherwise, to date.
5.01 Sympathy For The Devil
Sam and Dean arrive in Kripke's Hollow to find Chuck's house more chaotic than usual and also quite bloody. They ask if it's true that Castiel is dead. Chuck tells them, that Castiel practically exploded (one of Castiel's molars seems to have lodged in Chuck's hair). Zachariah and some of his "bodyguards" show up, and after a brief conversation in which they try to convince Dean that he should work with the angels again, because they want the same thing, namely Lucifer gone, Dean banishes them with the Angel Banishing Sigil.
Later, Chuck messages Supernatural fan Becky Rosen, interrupting her work on her Wincest fan fiction, asking her to pass along a message to Sam and Dean. The message reveals that the angels are looking for Michael's Sword (later to be revealed to be Dean, with the vision having been apparently planted by Zachariah), and that it is to be found "in a castle, on a hill made of 42 dogs" (which turns out to be John's Lock-up).
5.04 The End
In 2014, Lucifer's minions re-released the Croatoan demon virus - in this post-apocalyptic world, most humans have been reduced to murderous zombies. Future!Chuck is at Camp Chitaqua with Future!Dean, Future!Castiel and other survivors. Future!Chuck is in charge of supplies. Toilet paper, he informs Dean, is 'like gold'.
A hoarding on a dilapidated movie theatre advertises "Route 666" indicating that one of Chuck's "Supernatural" books was made into a movie.
5.09 The Real Ghostbusters
Chuck is present at a Supernatural Convention, which fan Becky Rosen invites Sam and Dean to. When real ghosts start attacking people, Chuck has to step up and help keep everyone safe while Sam and Dean and Demian and Barnes fight the ghosts. His bravery impresses Becky who abandons her pursuit of Sam for a relationship with Chuck.
5.22 Swan Song
Chuck begins his final book, titled "Swan Song", with an explanation of the Impala's history and significance. He is later called by Dean for the location of Lucifer and Michael's final battle, which he readily gives.
He finally appears dressed in white, musing on the difficulty of getting endings right. He then disappears, evaporating into thin air.
8.07 A Little Slice Of Kevin
Chuck is mentioned ever so briefly by the Winchesters whilst discussing Prophets after many of the "potentials" are being captured world-wide by Crowley. As there can only be one Prophet at any given time, Castiel suggests that Chuck is most likely dead; thus allowing for Kevin Tran becoming one.
External links
- spn_chuck - A LiveJournal community dedicated to Chuck Shurley
- Fanfiction featuring Chuck on Fanfiction.net
- @ChuckShurley - Chuck Shurley on Twitter
- notchuckshurley - Chuck Shurley RP Tumblr Blog
